According to the CDC, The US fertility rates has hit a historic low as per 2016, a result that can be explained by the fact that about 10 percent of women (6.1 million) in the United States, between the ages of 15-44, have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant. As the US and other western countries fall below the replacement level, whole societies enter a dangerous path where there is not enough young people to replace the aging workforce. Usually couples struggling to conceive, don't really think about their nation and how fertility as a whole may impact in society. Many in desperation seek their answers in fertility clinics but because the costs are exorbitant, it becomes something for few to access. So, if you are one of the many struggling to conceive and fertility clinics is not an option, you can use diet to increase your chances of pregnancy, here is what scientists found.

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Before we talk about how scientists found that you can increase your chances of pregnancy with more vegetable protein, there needs to be a discussion as to why fertility rates are declining in western countries, such as the US, the dangers of low fertility rates for society and what could be the cause of it.

Low Birth rates caused by infertility and its dangers

When a couple can not conceive, the first area affected are personal emotions, specially if they have tried it all, including costly fertility treatments. But, there is a even more lasting effect of not being able to conceive that is not openly discussed in the media. If it were, perhaps, couples who are desperately wanting to become parents, would completely change their lives, if conception was greatly associated with lifestyles, though this is not often the case of course. A historic low birth rate caused by infertility is something seen in the US now, a worrying trend, because a country's birthrate is among the most important measures of demographic health. The number needs to be within a certain range, called the “replacement level,” to keep a population stable so that it neither grows nor shrinks. If too low, there's a danger that we wouldn't be able to replace the aging workforce and have enough tax revenue to keep the economy stable

So, what is the scientific evidence pointing that the source of dietary protein can cause infertility?

The US can be considered a nation of meat eaters, with forecasts that by the end 2018 one person will have consumed 220.5 pounds of total red read meat and poultry. So, could a high meat intake and other animal products intake be the cause for infertility in the US?Interestingly, a study, found the association between protein intake (amount and type) and antral follicle count (AFC). In this research scientists were able to observe a pattern in the dietary habits of 265 and the onset of AFC, after analysing their protein intake, from different food sources, separately. It was found that higher dairy protein intake was associated with lower antral follicle counts among women presenting for infertility treatment. Note that AFC corresponds to the evaluation of a woman's ovarian reserve and her supply of eggs for the future.

SO, if animal protein is associated with infertility, reducing dietary animal derived protein will have an opposite effect? Below is what scientists found

With all that has been discussed, there is certainly a reason to believe that where you get your protein from could impact on your ability to conceive and carry full term. But, this assertion was observed by scientists in another study, in which scientists evaluated whether intake of protein from animal and vegetable origin is associated with ovulatory infertility (a problem with the monthly release of an egg - ovulation). There were 18,555 married women without a history of infertility who were followed as they attempted a pregnancy or became pregnant during an eight year period. Dietary assessments were conducted, and during follow-up, 438 women reported ovulatory infertility. It was found that replacing animal sources of protein with vegetable sources of protein may reduce ovulatory infertility risk.

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So, perhaps, it is time to start putting some thoughts where the protein you need comes from. It is important to note that plant protein will not only increase your chances of pregnancy, but will it reduce risk of death.